Clothes-pressing machine



T. D. PALMER.

CLOTHES PRESSING MACHINE, (DRYING ATTACHMENT.)

APPLICATION FILED MAY9.1916.

1,819,108. Patented om. 21,1919.

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T. D. PALMER. CLOTHES PHESSING MACHINE, (DRYING ATTACHMENT.)

APPLCATION FILED MAY 9, 191B.

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T. D. PALMER.

CLOTHES PRESSING MACHTNE, DRY|NG ATTACHMENT.)

APPLICATION FILED MAYQ. i918.

Patented Oct. 21, 1919.

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Wl TILESSES STATES yPA'IENT OFFICE.

THEODORE D. PALMER, OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO UNITED STATES HOFFMAN MACHINERY COMPANY, 0F DELAWARE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION Patented Oct. 21, 1919.

Application led May 9, 1918. Serial No. 233,495..

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, THEoDoRE D. PALMER, a citizen of the `United States of America, and resident of- Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga, in the State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Clothes-Pressing Machines, (Drying Attachments,) of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying draw'- ings, is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to certain improve- .ments in garment pressing machines of the class set forth in my Patent No. 1,177,571, March 28, 1916, in so far as it contemplates the use of air for drying purposes but is distinguished therefrom in the method of and means for applying the air to the garment and pads of the pressing elements.

These garments are brought to the machine in a dry and more -or less dusty unsanitary condition to be cleaned, sterilized and restored as far as possible to their original shape and newness of appearance wh'ch is usually accomplished by the simultaneous-r applicati-on of moisture, pressure and heat, after the garment has been previously brushed to remove the loose dust.

I have found, however, that pre-cleaning a garment by means of a brush as usual is not only insufcient to remove the dust which becomes embedded in the interstices of the fabric but produces an excessive wear of the nap by reason of the rulbbing Contact so that when the garment is moistened by steam or equivalent moistening means, the embedded dust 'becomes matted in the fabric, particularly during the pressing and drying operation, and the main object of my present invention is to produce a more elficient and expeditious removal of the dust, not only from the surface but also from the interstices of the fabric by forcing or drawing a cleaning agent therethrough according to the nature of the fabric.

In other words I have sought to provide the machine with simple and convenient means for passing a current of air or other cleaning agent through the fabric b-y pressure or suction or alternately by pressure and suction so that the fabric will be entirely free from foreign matter prior to the' permitting it to be more eHectively restored to its original condition and shape.

Another object is to utilize the same cleaning device for removing the vapor and moisture from the garment and the padded surface of the `pressing elements upon which it is supported.

Other olbjects and uses relating to speciic parts of the machine will be brought out in the following description: In the drawingsv Figure -1- is a side elevation, partly in sections, of a portion of a garment pressing machine and my improved cleaning and steam removing attachment operably connected thereto.

Figs. -2- and 3- are enlarged detail sectional views of the valves for controlling the air currents used for cleaning and drying purposes,

Fig. Llis a top plan of a portion of a garment presssing machine showing a modified form of cleaning and drying apparatus applied thereto.

Fig. -5- is 4a, transverse vertical sectional viewtaken on line 5--5Fig.

Fig. -6- i'sv an enlarged side elevation, partly in section, of thefmachine shown in Figs. -4iand -5*-, shovsingthe connection of the cleaning device withthesteam distributing chamber of the buck. y f

Fig. -7- is an enlarged longitudinal vertical section taken in the plane of line 7-7 Fig. 6-.

The pressing machine shown in Fig. -1 comprises a stationary horizontal buck 1 and a vertically movable press head -2- mounted upon a rock arm E3- which in turn is fulcrumed at -4- upon a main supporting frame to swing about an axis parallel with the longitudinal center of the buck and some distance to the rear thereof,

to enable the garment to be drawn over,

either side or end, the rear end of the rock arm '-3- being provided with a Weight similar to that shown'in Figs -4- and --5- for counter-balancing the press head --2-.

The buck -1 is supported in the manner shown in Fig. -5- in a horizontal position on the main supporting frame -5- andA is provided Iwith a heating chamber -6 and steam distributing chamber -7- having a perforated top -8- covered by a press cloth or pad -9-.

The heating chamber -6- 1s separated from the distributing chamber -7wby a horizontal partition -10- which forms the top wall of the heating chamber and the bottom wall of the distributing chamber and serves not only to heat the steam admitted to the distributing chamber but also to heat the superposed'press plate -8- 4and pad thereon.

The steam chamber -7- is nearly coextensive in area with that of the buck and overlies the entire area of the heatin 'chamber -6-, steam being supplied to ldooth of said chambers through branch pipes -11 and -12- of a main steam supply pipe -13- which may be connected to any suitable source of Steam supply.

The branch pipe -llis normally open for maintaining a constant supply of steam to the heating chamber -6- which however, is provided with a drain pipe lehaving a normally closed valve -l5- capable of being operated at will to drain any water of condensation from the chamber -6-.

The branch pipe -l2- is provided with a normally closed valve -16- adapted to be opened at will by an operating member -17- to supply a blast of steam to the garment through the distributing chamber -7.-, perforated plate -8- and pad -9-.

The cleaning attachment as shown in Fig. -1 comprises an air reservoir 18- in which air is maintained under pressure by means of a steam pump 1Q- through a supply pipe -20- which in turn is connected by a branch pipe -21- to an air pressure regulator -22- for controlling the steam valve as 23- in a branch supply pipe -24- leading from the main supply -13- to the valve chest of the pump operating engine, the pressure regulator -22- being operated by air pressure from the tank -18- or pump to close the valve Q3- when the pressure reaches a' certain degree in the reservoir -18- and to open said valve when the pressure is belo-w that degree, said pressure being indicated by a gage -25- on the top of the tank -18-.

A tubular head -26- is swiveled by means of a ball and socket or an equivalent universal joint -27- to the upper end of a branch pipe -28- and is provided with an extensible pipe or section -29- telescoping therewith and equipped at one end with a fan shaped nozzle 30- adapted to be moved to and from a' position between the pressing elements -1 and 2- and across rthe upper face of buck 1d or garment resting thereon.

The ball and socket joint -27- is hollow, thus forming a continuation of the branch pipe -28- and communicates with a port --31- which extends along the tubular head or pipe 26- to a point a short distance from the rear end thereof.

r1`he rear end of the pipe section #949- constitutes a valve or piston normally closing the port -31- when moved to its eX- treme rear position but adapted to open communication with said port when drawn forwardly so that its rear open end may communicate with the rear end of the port -3l-. rl`he upper side of ipe -29- is provided with a lengthwise eyway 32eand an abutment -33- at the rear lend thereof for engagement with a stop -34- on the front end of the pipe section 2G- to limit the forward movement of the nozzle -30- as shown by dotted lines in F ig. -1.

The branch pipe Q8-is connected to one side of a normally closedvalve -35- which 1n turn is connected by a branch pipe 36- to an ejector -37- said valve being co-nnected by an air supply pipe -38-- to the reservoir -l8-.

r1`he distributing chamber -7- is connected to the-suction side of the ejector by means of a pipe 39- having a normally closed valve 40- which in turn is connected by a pipe -41- to the branch 2S- to form a by-pass between the said distributing chamber and reservoir around the ejector -37-.

The valve 10* is preferably of the three-way type adapted when adjusted in one position as shown by full lines in Fig. 2* to open direct communication between the suction side of the ejector B7- and distributing chamber T- and also between the same suction side and the port -3lof the head Q6- and when in another position to open communication between the distributing chamber -7-4 and branch pipe Q8- through the by-pass pipe lllthe valves -35- and -tO- being controlled at will by suitable operating members-#Bye and -40- respectively. l;

The object of connecting them-reservoir -18- to the distributing chamber J7- and to the tubular head -26- in the manner just described is to create a rapidly moving air current in either chamber or pipe or both above atmospheric pressure so that the garment or pad may be cleaned by an air blast or by suction as controlled by the valves 5`-4 and -1l0 and also by the longitudinal movement of the nozzle section -29-.

For example, if it is desired to clean or dry the garment or pa'd or to remove the steam therefrom by air blast through the nozzle -30-- it is simply necessary to adjust the valve -35- to one position indicated by dotted lines in Fig. -3-- for Vestablishing communication between the pipes S8- and Q8- which cuts olf communication between the pipe -38- and ejector -37-7,

the valve 40- being closed as shown by Iits tilted dotted position in Fig. -2-.

Under these conditions the air pressure of the tank -18- will be exerted at the port A -3land by drawingl out the nozzle -30- on from the und'er side simultaneously with the application of the blast of air from above through the nozzle -30-, it is simply necessary to adjust the valve 40- to the horizontal position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2 so as to establish communication between pipes S9- and 4landv cut off communication between the valve and suction side of the ejector so that a portion of the air from the reservoir -18 will pass through the pipes 41- and -39- and thence into the distributing chamber J7- and through the padding -9- and garment thereon.

On the other hand if it is desired to clean the garment by air suction from the ejector -87- the valve 35- will be adjusted to establish communication between the pipes munication between the valve -35- and pipe -28- and to readjust the Valve 4U- to the position shown by full lines in Fig. -2- to establish communication between the suction side of the ejector -37- and distributing chamber -'7- and also between the same suction rside and port 3lof the tubular head -26-.

This latter adjustment will allow the air under -pressure to go through the ejector 37'm into the drain pipe 14- which will produce the desired suction in the distributing chamber -7- through the pipe -39-, said suction being at its maximum degree in the distributing .chamber when the valve -33- on the rear end of the pipe 29- is closed.

Now if it is desired to use the nozzle 30- for suction purposes, it may be drawn out to the dotted position and moved across the facefof' the garment or'the pad upon which it rests to assist in withdrawing the dust therefrom prior to pressing or may be used for withdrawing the steam and drying the garment and pad, following the pressing operation.

` After the operation either by air blast or air suction in the manner just previously described, the valves -33-, -35- and 410-y maybe restored to their normal positions and the pressing machine operated in the usual manner.

The pressing elements shown in Figs. -lto -6`- inclusive are similar to those shown in Fig. -1-, the upper press head -2- being provided with a steam heated chamber 42M and a distributing chamber 15%- having the usual perforated bottom covered b-y a press cloth.

The cleaning and drying attachment used in connection with these pressing elements comprises a blower 411- and a suction device -45- having rotary members or fans mounted coaxially upon the same rotary shaft -46- which is journaled in suitable bearings -t7- on the main supporting frame -5- as shown more clearly in Fig. -7, the bearings of said shaft also serving 85 to support the rock arm -3- for the head -2.

The case of the blower 44cis adapted to rock with the head supporting arm 3- vand is provided with a central inlet -48- and a tangential outlet 49- connected bya pipe -50 to a delivery nozzle 5lextending along the front edge of the head -2-, and supportedin fixed relation thereto by the pipe '-50-, said nozzle being provided with a lengthwise slot or opening -52 facing the adjacent edge of the lower face of the head for discharging a blast of air upon the upper surface of the buck or garment thereon, as the head is raised from 100 its pressing position.

The pipe -51-- extends across the upper side of the head -2- and is provided with a valve -A53-- and a branch pipe 5%- leading therefrom to the distributing cham- 105 ber -43-.

The suction side of the fan\-45- is connected by a pipe -55- to the distributing chamber -7- of the buck -1- while the pressure side of the same fan is connected to the atmosphere through the pipe 5G- The' shaft-lwith the rotary members of the'pressure and suction devices -44- and #lthereon are driven by suitable connection with the rock arm -3- so that 115 when the head 2* is raised a blast of air will be projected upon and across the surface of the buck -land garment thereon, and at the same time the suction device 45H removes the dust and vapor from the 120 under side of the garment through the dis'- tributing chamber -7-.

The means for transmitting motion from rock arm -3- to the shaft -46- consists of a tooth segment 60- rigidly se- 125 cured to *the rear end of the rock arm 3 and meshing with a pinion 6 1- on a counter shaft -62- which in turn is journaled upon the frame -5- parallel with the shaft 46- and is provided with a rela- 130l tively large gear -69- with a pinion G4- on the' shaft -46#.

The ratio ofthe gear connections between the rock arm -3- and fan shaft -48- is such that the movement of the press head from one extreme position to the other will cause a multiplicity of revolutions of said rotary members at high speed so that the air blast and suction operating upon both sides of the garment may be eflicient and practically instantaneous at the beginning of the opening movement of the head.

What I claim is:

l. In combination with a garment supporting bed, a conduit for supplying a cleaning agent under pressure, a suction device, a nozzle movable across the surface of the bed and connected to said conduit and to the suction device, means operable at will for controlling communicationibetween said nozzle and conduit, and additional means operable at will for controlling communication between said nozzle and the suction device.

2. In' a garment pressing machine, the combination with cooperating pressing elements, of a garment cleaning device including an air pipe'having a nozzle movable underlying chamber, -a nozzle movable across across the face of one of said elements when the latter areseparated, means for creating a rapidly moving air lcurrent through said pipe and nozzle, and means for changing the direction of said current at will.

3. ln a garment pressing machine, the combination with cooperating pressing elements, a tubular head swiveled beyond the margin of said elements and provided with an air passage', a pipe telescoping with said head and provided with a nozzle movable across one of the pressing elements when the latter are separatedy and means for creating a rapidly moving current of air through the pipe and head.

hln a garment pressing machine, the combination with cooperating pressing elements, a tubular head swiveled beyond the margin of said elements and provided with an air passage, a pipe telescoping with said head and provided with a nozzle movable across one of thepressing elements when the latter are separated, and means for creating a rapidl moving current of air through the pipe anc head, said pipe having a valve for controlling the passage of air therethrough.

5. in combination with .a garment supporting bed having a perforated top and au the surface of the bed, a suction device having its suction side connected tosaid chamber and to the nozzle, and means operable at will for controlling communication between said suction device and chamber, and

iiaios `lar head swiveled to said pipe and communi eating therewith, a pipe section telescoping with the tubular head and provided with a nozzle movable across the surface of one of the pressing elements7 said pipe section having means for controlling said. communication, and means for creating an air current` in the air pipe and nozzle section.

7. In a clothes pressing machine, a. buck having a steam heated chamber and a steam distributing chamber, the latterx chamber having an outlet for applying steam to 'a garment on the buck, means for controlling the entrance of steam to the distributing chamber, and means movable about an axis at the rear of the buck yand to and from the surface thereof for supplying air under pressure to said surface and to a garment thereon.

8. ln a garment pressing machine, the combination with coopera-tive pressin elements, one of which is providednwith a steam distributing chamber having an outlet for applying steam to a garment, means for supplying steam to said chamber, an air pressure reservoir, an ejector -having its pressure side communicating with the ressupplying steam to said chamber, an air pressure reservoir, an ejector 'having its pressure side communicating with the reservoir and its suction side communicating with the steam-distributing chamber, and means for opening and closing communication between said ejector and chamber, a by-pass between the reservoir and chamber around the ejector, a valve for controlling the passage of air to the ejector and byspass, and a separate valve controlling vcommunication `between the ejector and chariibefr.V

ln witness whereof l have hereunto set my hand this twenty-sixth day oit March, 1918.

friinononn n. Arennen.

Witnesses CAMrBELL S'. 'lnoiurson L. FRANKEL.

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